Production of cycloalkanes

摘要

A cycloalkane is manufactured from a corresponding dicycloalkadiene by cracking the dimer and catalytically hydrogenating the monomer at a temperature below 175 DEG C in the presence of an inert diluent. The process is especially applicable to the manufacture of cyclopentane. The catalytic hydrogenation is carried out in a closed loop batch reactor. Catalyst powder is circulated in the reaction zone in slurry form until it is removed by filtration from contact with the reaction mixture upon completion of the reaction. The inert diluent comprises at least in part the cycloalkane being manufactured.